Nancy Reagan in 1995: ‘Ronnie turned that torch over to Newt’

Mitt Romney’s Super PAC has been hitting Newt Gingrich, arguing that he exaggerates his connection to Ronald Reagan.

But in 1995, Nancy Reagan aptly put it this way:

“The dramatic movement of 1995 is an outgrowth of a much earlier crusade that goes back half a century. Barry Goldwater handed the torch to Ronnie, and in turn Ronnie turned that torch over to Newt and the Republican members of Congress to keep that dream alive.”

Newt Gingrich, we can all agree, is not perfect. Still, one cannot escape the fact that — if there were a Mount Rushmore for conservative politicians of the 20th century — his face would have to be on it.